Garment for infirmed patient

ABSTRACT

A garment for a disabled or infirm patient having a series of tie fasteners for easy disrobing and reattaching, the tie fasteners having a ribbon on a first seam attached at its middle, passing through one or more buttonholes on a mating seam, whereupon the free ends of the tie can be tied into a bow. The ribbon is secured using first and second box stitches, one inside the other, along with an X stitch. The fastening system can be used in a multitude of styles, including closures along the front, side(s), back, and top of the garment.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to rehabilitation wear, and moreparticularly to a type of garment that can be worn by medical patients,disabled persons, or generally the infirmed, at home as an alternativeto hospital wear. The garments include a unique fastening system thatallow for individuals who are receiving treatment at home, outpatienttreatment, or rehabilitating at a hospital to have a comfortable andstylish garment that also has the comfort and ease of a hospital gown.

Many people who rehabilitating at home or at a public facility out ofthe hospital are aware of the lack of suitable clothing that can be usedaside from drab hospital gowns. This is particularly meaningful whensuch patients are among friends or family and lack anything remotelyfashionable or stylish to wear. However, style and comfort must give wayto function when a doctor, therapist, or other care giver must haveaccess to the patient's body and therefore clothing must be easilyremoved without a great deal of effort from the patient. The presentinvention seeks to provide an alternative to hospital gowns so thatpatients can progress through their treatment with a sense of dignityand self-respect without being embarrassed by having to wear a standardtype hospital gown amongst family, friends or in public.

Since the garments of the present invention are made in current everydayclothing styles with a variety of materials and closures to choose from,an individual can have the sense of being dressed in everyday wearwithout the restrictions that normal everyday clothing can have forindividuals receiving care or treatment.

At the same time, the unique fastening system of the present inventionprovides a secure closure of the garment, ensuring the privacy of theindividual while still enabling an easy opening and/or removal of all orpart of the garment. Though designed for use in a home environmentand/or outpatient treatment setting, the present invention can also beused in convalescent, hospital or hospice type settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a rehabilitation garment that utilizes a sliptie or double slip tie fastening system in conjunction with traditional“every day wear” clothes. The slip tie can be used with a seam down theside or back of the garment, or even the front or top of the garment ifdesired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of mating free ends of a garment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the mating free ends of FIG. 1 with buttonholesadded;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of one of the mating free ends of FIG. 2 with aribbon inserted through the buttonholes;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the ribbon fastened to the seam of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a series of diagrams for tying the first and second seamstogether;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are front and back tie garments showing regular andtwo-in-one configurations;

FIG. 8 is a garment with a top tie fastening system; and

FIG. 9 is a garment with a side tie fastening system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The garments of the present invention may be selected based on thepreference and comfort level of the patient. Garments may be made from avariety of materials such as, but not limited to, cotton, polyester,satin, flannel, fleece, seersucker, and the like. Further, as set forthbelow, there are a number of different closure styles to select from,including back tie, front tie, side tie, top tie, and two-in-one tie.Regardless of the location of the closure means, the secure closure ofthe seams of the garment are due to the unique slip tie fasteners thatcan comprise either a single tie or double tie configuration.

Embodiments of the present invention can be seen in FIGS. 1-9. In eachgarment there will be a portion that surrounds the torso of the wearer,and includes at least one closure means that allows the garment to beeasily separated or even removed without undue effort by the wearer.FIG. 1 illustrates two mating ends of the garment, such as would occuron a shirt, robe, gown, pant, or other garment that covers a patient'storso. The free edges 10, 20 of the garment 5 are folded back uponthemselves by a length L of approximately one and one eighths of an inchfor a single slip tie, and one and three quarters of an inch for adouble slip tie. Free edges 10, 20 are again folded under at one quarterinch. Once the excess material is folded upon itself, and under at thefree edges, the overlapping material is sewn with a continuous stitch 30approximately one eighth of an inch from the edge of the fabric aroundthe doubled fabric to create a reinforced double layer at the locationwhere the garment closes. The open ends 40, 50 of garment 5 have thisdouble layer 60 reinforced in order to support the unique slip tiefastenings described below. Depending on the material of the garment,and the type of slip tie fastening (single slip tie or double slip tie),the double layer reinforced extra wide finished seams of FIG. 1 can bealso be made for a double tie garment by creating a one and one halfinch finished seam in which a one and one half single fold seam bindingis sewn to the garment material one quarter inch from the free edge ofthe garment. Alternatively, a seam 30 can be formed by creating a seveneighths inch finished seam in which the garment material free edge issewn to a seven eighths inch single fold seam binding to make thefinished seam.

The first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a portion of a single slip tiewith finished seams made from garment material. Finished seams 60, madefrom the same material as the garment, are created by allowing thegarment material to be extended to, for example, a one and one eighthinch seam allowance on the closing seams edges. Then, the right side ofthe garment fabric edge 20 is folded to a quarter inch fold and pressed.The right side of garment fabric is then folded to a seven eighths inchfold and pressed and basted. A stitch is then placed one eighth of aninch around the seven eighths inch fold thus creating the double layerextra wide finished seam.

Alternatively, when a double slip tie with finished seams is called for,finished seams 60 are formed by allowing the garment material to beextended to a one and three quarter inch seam allowance on the closingseams edges. The sides 10, 20 of the garment fabric edge is folded to aone quarter of an inch fold and pressed. The sides 10, 20 of garmentfabric is then folded to a one and one half of an inch fold and pressedand basted. A stitch 30 is then placed one eighth of an inch around theone and one half inch fold thus creating the double layer extra widefinished seam 60.

In the case of a single slip tie finished seam made from a seam binding,extra wide finished seams 60 are formed by sewing mating free sides 10,20 to a seven eighths inch single fold seam binding on single tiegarment, or one and one half inch single fold seam binding on double tiegarments. A stitch is placed one quarter inch from the edge. Seambinding is folded in to the inside of garment, pressed and basted. Thena stitch 30 is made one eighth of an inch around the seven eighths of aninch seam binding, thus creating the double layer extra wide finishedseam. For double tie garments, a stitch 30 is made one eighth of an incharound the one and one half inch seam binding to create the double layerextra wide finished seam.

FIG. 2 illustrates the respective mating edges having a five eighthsinch buttonholes 70, 72, in which finished ties are recommended to beone half inch in width and no less than twelve inches in length. Whenmaking children's garments, it is recommend that buttonholes 70, 72 beno less than one half inch in length with finished ties that are onequarter to three eighths inches in width and no less than nine inches inlength. FIG. 2 illustrates a single slip tie buttonholes 70, 72. Onseams 80, 90 of the garment 5, pairs of five eighths inch buttonholes70, 72 are made on the extra wide finished seam in the followingdimensions:

1) Buttonholes 70, 72 are five eighths inches in length;

2) Buttonholes 72 are spaced three eighths inches apart;

3) There is a quarter inch distance between the outer edge of thebuttonholes 72 and edge 95 of finished seam 80;

4) The pair of buttonholes 72 at the top of seam 80 are recommended tobe no less than three eighths inches from the finished top edge 100 ofthe garment; and

5) Each succeeding pair of buttonholes 72 is spaced consistently downthe finished seam 80 with the same dimensions and is recommended not toexceed four inches between each pair of buttonholes 72.

On seam 90 of the garment, five eighths inch buttonholes 70 are made onthe extra wide finished seam in the following dimensions:

1) Buttonholes 70 are five eighths inch in length;

2) There is a three eighths inch distance between the outer edge ofbuttonholes 70 and edge 96 of finished seam;

3) The buttonhole 70 at the top of seam 90 is recommended to be no lessthan three eighths inch from the finished top edge 100 of the garment 5;and

4) Each succeeding buttonhole 70 is spaced consistently down thefinished seam 90 with the same dimensions and is recommended not toexceed four inches between each buttonhole 70.

Double slip tie buttonholes can replace those shown in FIG. 2, wherebuttonholes 70 are replaced with pairs of buttonholes 72, and are madeon the extra wide finished seam in the following dimensions:

1) Buttonholes 72 are five eighths inch in length;

2) Buttonholes 72 are spaced five eighths inch in between each other;

3) There is a three eighths inch distance between the outer edge ofbuttonholes 72 and the edges 95, 96 of the finished seams 80,90;

4) The first pair of buttonholes 72 at the top of seams 80. 90 arerecommended to be no less than three eighths inch from the finished topedge 100 of the garment; and

5) Each succeeding pair of buttonholes 72 is spaced consistently downthe finished seam with the same dimensions, and is recommended not toexceed four inches between each pair of buttonholes 72.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, for creating and securing tie fasteners forboth the single slip tie fasteners and double slip tie fasteners, it isrecommended that the tie ribbons 110 be one half inch in width and forchildren's garments no less than one quarter inch to three eighthsinches in width. The final length of the ties 110 are recommended to beno less than nine inches in length for children's garments and no morethan twelve inches in length for adult garments. Secured tie fastenersare created and sewn into the extra wide finished seam by:

1. Cutting one half inch ribbon ties 110 from either the garment'smaterial or using a soft ribbon material (based on the individual'spreference);

2. Lacing the ribbon ties 110 through the buttonholes;

A. For single slip tie fasteners lace through buttonholes 72;

B. For double slip tie fasteners lace through buttonholes 72;

3. Distributing the ribbon ties 110 evenly through the buttonholes 72 sothat the finish end length of each tie will be approximately twelveinches in length;

4. Adhering the ribbon tie 110 to the extra wide finished seam by firstsewing an “outer square” 120 on the outside ends of the buttonholes andover the ribbon as shown in FIG. 4;

5. Sewing an “X” formation 130 between the buttonholes; and

6. Securing the ribbon tie 110 to the extra wide finished seam by sewingan inner square 140 in between the buttonholes.

The unique design and dimensions of the single slip tie fasteners anddouble slip tie fasteners allow for the finished seam edges to overlapover each other, thus providing a secure closure of the garment seams,and allows the individual to wear the garment in public without concernof exposure.

Secure closing of the garment seams with the single slip tie fastenersis illustrated in FIG. 5:

A. The right ties 110 a on the first seam are drawn through thebuttonholes 70 or 72 on the second seam as shown in FIG. 5 a;

B. The second seam is pulled to overlap the first seam by one half inchby pulling the left tie 110 b and right tie 110 a together. Completelypulling the ties 110 a,b through the buttonhole 70 or 72 allows for thesecond seam to overlap 75 the first seam by approximately one half inchas shown in FIG. 5B, thus bringing a complete closure to the garment;and

C. The first and second seams are then securely closed by tying the leftand right ties 110 a,b into bows 180 as shown in FIG. 5C.

Secure closing of the garment seams with double slip tie fasteners isaccomplished in a similar manner, and results in a one inch overlap 75when the seams are secured together.

Back tie garments 205, 210 such as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 with thesoft slip tie fasteners allow the individual to have a secure seamclosure, as well as the ease and comfort of a hospital type gown.Multiple ties in the front or back allow for leaving bottom portions ofthe garment open for use of incontinence pads or healing of bedsores,etc. At the same time, this garment still gives the appearance of theindividual being fully clothed, thus allowing the individual torehabilitate with dignity, without the shame or embarrassment of theirincontinence or bedsore, etc., condition.

Garment lengths may vary depending on the preference of the individual.The hem of a mid-length garment falls approximately 4″-6″ above theknee, while the longer garment falls below the knee, closer to mid-calfin length. Back tie garments may also consist of “Two-In-One” garments205, 210 as shown in FIG. 7.

A seam closure 220 of back tie Two-In-One garments 205, 210 are the sameas mentioned above. For ease of use, the single slip tie fasteners mightbe the preferred fastener type. However, the double slip tie fastenersallow for more privacy when wearing the garment in public since the seamoverlap is twice that of the single slip tie fasteners. The garment inFIG. 7 may have an extended portion added to the bottom of the garmentto give the appearance of wearing a top with a pant, skirt, or shortbottom.

Front tie garments with soft slip tie fasteners allow the individual tohave a secure seam closure, as well as the ease and comfort of ahospital type gown. Multiple ties in the front allow for portions of thegarment to be opened during examinations, treatments, sponge baths,physical therapy, etc. while at the same time leaving the individualclothed in other areas, thus allowing the individual to be treated withdignity, without the shame or embarrassment of being fully exposed. Toptie closure of garments may also be needed, depending on the treatmentneeds (and preference) of the individual, in which case the shoulderportions of the garments are not sewn together but left open to beclosed by single or double slip tie fasteners or buttons. It isrecommended that buttonholes on the top tie closure garments be spacedno more than two inches apart along the shoulder. This style of shoulderseam closure allows for easy treatment when using pic lines, heartmonitors, etc. or during examination of the upper portion of the bodywithout exposing the lower half of the body.

Garments 250 that tie along the top, or shoulders, are also within thescope of the present invention (See FIG. 8). Such garments are placed onover the individual's head and pulled down the torso, then tied at thetop shoulders. Due to the limited mobility of this style of garment, therecommended use for this is for outpatient treatment visits in which theupper half of the body may need to be examined or exposed for treatmentand for which the lower half of the body does not need to be accessed orexposed.

Side tie garments 260 as shown in FIG. 9 with the soft slip tiefasteners allow the individual to have a secure seam closure for privacyduring treatment and at the same time provides openings for thetreatment to be administered. Multiple ties along the sides of thegarment allow for medical devices (such as IV's, catheters, monitors,feeding tubes, etc.) to be used, while at the same time the garmentcontinues to remain closed. Easy side tie openings allow for all orportions of one side of the garment to be opened during examinations,treatments, sponge baths, physical therapy, tests (EKG's), etc. while atthe same time leaving the individual clothed in other areas, thusallowing the individual to be treated with dignity, without the shame orembarrassment of being fully exposed.

Open shoulder seams that close with slip tie fasteners are recommendedfor side tie garments in that they allow the benefits mentioned above aswell as easy dressing and undressing of individuals who have little orno mobility. The garments are place on these individuals by:

A. Laying the back portion of the garment on the bed surface;

B. Laying the individual over the back portion of the garment;

C. Placing the top portion of the garment on top of individual;

D. Lacing and tying the side ties together; and

E. If top ties are used for the shoulder seams, those are laced and tiedtogether.

A Two-In-One single or double slip tie garment gives the uniqueappearance of wearing a top garment with a pant, skirt, or short bottom.A Two-In-One garment (see, e.g., FIG. 7) is formed by:

1. Sewing the top portion of a pant, skirt or short bottom together withthe bottom portion of the garment with a one quarter inch seamallowance. If the garment has a center seam in front, first sew thecenter seams at one half inch, then sew the bottom to top portions atone quarter inch;

2. Turn the garment right side out at the one quarter inch seam andpress. Then stich one inch from the edge of sewn seam thus creating aone inch overlap of material on the outside of the garment;

3. Pull the pant, skirt, or short bottom portion of the garment down,along with the one inch overlap, and press and sew a ¼″ top stitch thatis ¾″ from the edge of the overlap of material; and

4. Finish the garment seams according to the choice of seam closure.

From the aforementioned disclosure, it can be seen that a wide varietyof styles and types of dress can be used with the present invention tocreate clothing that is functional while providing variety and optionsto the infirm patient. While the various embodiments described anddepicted in the description above is intended to aid in theunderstanding of the invention, it should not be construed in any way aslimiting on the invention, either by the drawings or the choice of wordsin the description. Rather, the scope of the invention should beconstrued with the plain and ordinary words of the appended claims, aswould be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, having read andappreciated the aforementioned description but not confined in any otherway.

I claim:
 1. A garment for an infirm patient, comprising: a pair of seamsformed by mating halves of the garment intended to be closed by a tiearrangement, said pair of seams formed by folding over a free end ofsaid material onto itself and fastening with a stitch around a perimeterof the overlap; a first seam including a plurality of pairs ofhorizontally spaced apart buttonholes, each pair of buttonholes spacedvertically apart; a second seam having a plurality of pairs ofhorizontally spaced apart buttonholes corresponding with the pluralityof pairs of horizontally spaced apart buttonholes on the first seam, thesecond seam further comprising a tie passing through each pair ofhorizontally spaced apart buttonholes; a fastening system of the tiewith the respective pair of horizontally spaced apart buttonholescomprising a first box stitch securing the tie to the second seam, an“X” stitch within the first box stitch to further secure the tie to thesecond seam, and a second box stitch within the first box stitch tofurther secure the tie to the second seam; wherein the horizontallyspaced apart buttonholes on the first seam are sized to receive a firstfree end of the tie on the second seam; and wherein, when the tie of thesecond seam is placed through the horizontally spaced apart buttonholesof the first seam, an overlap is created that has a length wider than awidth of the tie; and wherein when first free end is tied with a secondfree end of the tie, the garment is secured with the overlap to preventseparation of the seams.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein thefastening system is arranged on a front of the garment.
 3. The garmentof claim 1, wherein the fastening system is arranged on a side of thegarment.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the fastening system isarranged on a back of the garment.
 5. The garment of claim 1, whereinthe fastening system is arranged on a top of the garment.
 6. The garmentof claim 1, wherein the garment is horizontally separated to give anappearance of two separate garments.
 7. The garment of claim 1, whereinthe stitch around the perimeter of the first seam is one eighth of aninch from edges of the seam.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein thebuttonhole is approximately five eighths of an inch in length.
 9. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein the pairs of horizontally spaced apartbuttonholes are vertically spaced no more than four inches apart. 10.The garment of claim 1, wherein the tie is approximately twelve inchesin length.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the overlap isapproximately one inch in length.
 12. The garment of claim 1, whereinboth the first free end and the second free end of the tie passesthrough the first seam.
 13. The garment of claim 1, wherein only thefirst free end of the tie passes through the first seam.
 14. The garmentof claim 1, where the fastening system is on first and second sides ofthe garment.